Cabot Habitat - St. John's/Mt. Pearl Habitat for Humanity

Cabot Habitat for Humanity Hero Grand Prize Winner in Genworth Meaning of Home Contest

Kyle Dingle’s essay ‘A House vs A Home’ is the grand prize in the Genworth Financial national writing contest. Genworth officially released the news Tuesday, February 2, 2010.

As grand prize winner, Kyle chose Cabot Habitat for Humanity to receive $60,000 from Genworth.

He also received a laptop, presented by Chris Ryan of Genworth. The presentation was made at Hazelwood Elementary on Thursday, February 4. Cathy Carroll, Chair of Cabot Habitat for Humanity, presented Kyle with a Cabot Habitat for Humanity Hammer - a very special gift to recognize the outstanding contribution Kyle's efforts have made. Kyle's teacher, Bernadette Kolonel, also received a Cabot hammer for her role in encouraging her students to enter the contest.

Kyle’s essay is a simple, honest story about the difference between a house and a home. It reads, ’ A home is a place where you feel warm and cozy. You have things around you that are special and have meaning, but most of all you are surrounded by people you love and who love you. A family makes a house a home by living in it and making it special.”
(read Kyle's story here)

Kyle's essay was inspired by a Cabot Habitat for Humanity home being built on his street. His essay inspired an province-wide online effort that netted more than 225,000 votes, which made it a finalist in the contest. A panel of judges unanimously selected ‘A House vs. A Home’ as the grand prize winner. Sherri Hickey, the owner of the Habitat house that inspired Kyle, shared her thoughts at the presentation.

“Kyle is our Cabot Habitat for Humanity hero, and we are thrilled about his achievement,” says Cathy Carroll, Chair of Cabot Habitat for Humanity. “He is a special boy who tells an exceptional story in his essay, and really understands the importance of what Habitat for Humanity does. He is an inspiration.”

This year Cabot Habitat will partner with four families to build four homes in Pleasantville. Kyle’s efforts will make a very significant contribution to that build, and Kyle wants to be part of it.